Hair Types
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: African American Hair
Forum Name: African American Hair
Forum Description: Devoted to the special needs of African Americans.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=59761
Printed Date: July 24 2025 at 8:16pm
Topic: Hair Types
Posted By: ChildofGod
Subject: Hair Types
Date Posted: March 17 2008 at 5:55pm
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Hello Ladies,
I'm a newbie and I've been reading some of the posts and notice some are saying 'I have hair type 3c' or 'hair type 4a'. How do you determine what your hair type is? Thanks!  ------------- Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Luke 6:37 |
Replies:
Posted By: _Princess_
Date Posted: March 17 2008 at 6:49pm
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FIRST CLASSIFIER - Your curliness (or lack thereof) Straight Hair: 1a - stick straight 1b - straight but with a slight body wave, just enough to add some volume, doesn't look wavy 1c - straight with body wave and one or two visible S-waves (e.g. nape of neck or temples) Wavy Hair: 2a - loose, stretched out S-waves throughout the hair 2b - shorter, more distinct S-waves (similar to waves from braiding damp hair) 2c - distinct S-waves and the odd spiral curl forming here and there Curly Hair: 3a - big, loose spiral curls 3b - bouncy ringlets 3c - tight corkscrews Very curly/tight curly hair: 4a - tightly coiled S-curls 4b - tightly coiled hair bending in sharp angles (Z-pattern) SECOND CLASSIFIER - What (most of) your individual strands look like F - Fine Thin strands that sometimes are almost translucent when held up to the light. Shed strands can be hard to see even against a contrasting background. Similar to hair found on many people of Scandinavian descent. You can also try rolling a strand between your thumb and index finger. Fine hair is difficult to feel or it feels like an ultra-fine strand of silk M - Medium Strands are neither fine nor coarse. Similar to hair found on many Caucasians. You can also try rolling a strand between your thumb and index finger. Medium hair feels like a cotton thread. You can feel it, but it isn't stiff or rough. It is neither fine or coarse. C - Coarse Thick strands that where shed strands usually are easily identified against most backgrounds. Similar to hair found on many people of Asian or native American descent. You can also try rolling a strand between your thumb and index finger. Coarse hair feels hard and wiry. As you roll it back and forth, you may actually hear it. THIRD CLASSIFIER - Your overall volume of hair Put your hair in a ponytail with as much hair as possible in it. Don't bother with the way it looks - the goal is to have most/all of your hair in there. If it means it sits smack dab on top of your head, put it there. Measure the circumference of the ponytail. If you have bangs and/or you can't get all of your hair in there adjust according to how much of your hair you have measured. i - thin (less than 2 inches/5 centimeters) ii - normal (between 2-4 inches or 5-10 centimeters) iii - thick (more than 4 inches/10 centimeters) Hope this helps... ------------- |
Posted By: ChildofGod
Date Posted: March 17 2008 at 7:23pm
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Hi Princess, thank you soooo much for that info! I kept seeing those numbers and letters and did not have a clue! You are so gracious. ------------- Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Luke 6:37 |
Posted By: _Princess_
Date Posted: March 17 2008 at 7:38pm
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You're welcome, glad ta help ------------- |